117 Responses to “Which distillery has impressed you the most this year?”

Maker’s Mark. This one-trick pony distillery bided its time and then brought out a new line extension that offers a different level of depth and complexity from its standard bottling, yet bears the clear stamp of its house style. When you’ve marketed a single expression for so many years and then come out with something that’s more than just another expression yet not quite another “brand”, it definitely stands out.

Buffalo Trace. For no other reason than acquiring the historic Old Taylor brand and then setting about to replicate the white-corn mash as closely as they can. I can only hope that the finished product is bottled at the 100 proof standard for which Col. Taylor fought so hard.

Michael,
Don’t forget they purchased some amazing Canadian stock and issused the Single Barrel Canadian Whisky Caribou Crossing which was stunning also (John deserves some credit on the selection of that stock also).

Arran, because they know how to price their entry level bottle well, and old pulteney for not raising the price on their 12yo, unlike some brands who charge 100% more for a stupid re-branding while the inside liquid stays the same. (You know who you are.)

Not sure this makes a case for distillery of the year, but let me join in the praising of Arran and Old Pulteney – and not only for their pricing. While we’re at it, anyone know when we’ll see Arran’s new 14 yo in the States?

Ardbeg – Corryvreckan, Supernova parts 1 and 2 (2009 and 2010) and Rollercoaster. That’s all that needs to be said.

I’m a fan of Kilchoman as well, but found the Summer 2010 release in the US to be lackluster. Having tried cask strength versions, the 46% ABV Summer release lacked the brim and fire of the higher strength bottlings.

I, too, was impressed with Amrut’s whiskies. Everything they brought to WhiskyFest New York was impressive, especially Fusion and Intermediate Sherry. They are on track to have a substantial impact on the industry from a very unusual (for whisky, anyway) place on the map

For sheer consistency in maintaining a line of superb quality whiskeys, Buffalo Trace really is a brilliant distillery. However, if we’re going to keep our watch specific to the past year, I’d like to nominate Forty Creek. They released only one new expression this year (on top of three other great whiskies already in their stable), the Confederation Oak Reserve, but as far as I’m concerned, this one is a game-changer for Canadian whisky. It is a beautiful demonstration of what careful attention, time, and innovation can bring to whisky.

With all the “Potemkin Distilleries” (as Chuck would put it) getting attention this year and releasing good whiskeys, how about Lawrenceburg Distillers, Indiana (LDI) for distillery of the year? They’re the ones making all the stuff.

It’s a toss up for me with Buffalo Trace and Four Roses. BT has put out another fantastic Antique Collection, the Experimental bottlings (which I’ve not been able to try), and not to mention some excellent products produced via partnership or under their “umbrella”.

I’m always impressed with Old Rip Van Winkle’s products. Top to bottom I think it’s the best lineup of Bourbon Whiskey around (ORVW10 (90 proof and 107 Proof), Lot B, Rye, and Pappy 23, 20, and 15). Many of those products mentioned are in partnership with Buffalo Trace.

I’m more of an American Whiskey drinker, but I have a soft spot for Compass Box. While you mentioned “Distillery” I’m not sure you are including them in that or not. But if so they always warrant a look. With their 10th taking place this year they’ve put out some high acclaimed whisky. I’ve not tried the 2 they released (can’t find them where I’m at), but hopefully they are in consideration. I love what they do.

Another one that distills its own products but has seen more success with sourced and/or blended whiskeys: High West. The Bourye, Rendezvous Rye, 16 Yr Rye, 21 Yr. Rye, Limited 12 yr Rye, and an upcoming Double Rye! are all outstanding products.

Jason,
When I read the entry the first thing that jumped into my mind was Compass Box, but like you, I wondered how it fits into the ‘distillery’ category. The 10th Anniversary Flaming Heart is amazing.

Double Rye???? Can you tell us anything else, Jason? I’ve tasted all of their sourced whiskeys, including the 12 year, and David’s dedication to finding excellent rye stashed away is unsurpassed. Their own Silver Oat is excellent, too!

Sam, Double Rye! (that exclamation is apparently a part of the name) is a blend of 16 year 53% rye (37% Corn 10% Barley Malt) with a 2 year old (95% rye). The 2 yr is the same mashbill as the 6 year old in the Rendezvous Rye. The result is a totally different whiskey than Rendezvous. It’s gin-like, juniper, evergreen, pine sap, and honey. It’s a very fresh, green, vibrant rye and really unique. One of the most different tasting (in a great way) ryes I’ve ever had. I think it will be released in the next month.

Technically, The Sazerac Company; Buffalo Trace’s parent company, made those acquisitions. But I agree with you that Buffalo Trace is very innovative and unique. I suspect this is largely due to their good fortune of existing within a strong privately-owned, family run, company… not some bloated, publicly traded, international conglomerate. That really impresses me!

Buffalo Trace is always on the cutting edge and their Antique Collection is always spectacular. In addition, I second Jason’s opinion of the Van Winkle line of whiskey, truly best in class. I also believe some consideration should be given to Four Roses. Their 100 year anniversary single barrel was superb and their Limited release small batch (which basically replaced the Mariage) is also excellent. Additionally, they consistently release barrel strength whiskeys which I find to be delicious. Obviously, I love their more mainstream products as well including the yellow label, small batch and Single Barrel.

I’d go Buffalo Trace (Sazerac) for US – love their acquisitions this year.. plus top notch product still coming out.. Forty Creek for Canadian, and Glenglassaugh for Scottish. Glenglassaugh continues to put out awesome old releases while expanding the range of “new” make available. You’ve got the 50cl New Make and New Make Wine Finish, the New Make, Peated New Make, and Fledgling (6 month old) available in 20cl bottles. All nice stuff and great innovation.
I’d tend not to give it to BT as they have won it too much. Forty Creek and Glenglassaugh are available in the US .. although maybe a little limited.

There should be more to Distillery of the year than what drams they put out, to that end; Macallen for their charitable work providing clean water around the world. There was that whole auction thing too…

It’s not a single distillery, but I was very impressed by Burn Stewart’s move to rigorously turn towards 46% non coloured and non-chillfilered bottlings for their single malts (Bunnahabhain, Deanston, Tobermory and Ledaig)

But did they really have to raise the price like they did? This, though, is an example of not just rebranding but changing the inside contents for the better. So, just raise the price a dollar per bottle…?

It doesn’t need much math to figure out that at 46% you get less bottles from a batch than at 40%. From a 200 litre cask at 60% you get 300 bottles at 40% or 260 at 46%. Pretty obvious that they don’t want to lose money that way.

another shout out for Ardbeg, and another shout out for Amrut. i just ran a flight of six Amrut single malts a few nights ago, and i thought all were good, and some were very good. definitely one to look out for…

Catoctin Creek in Virginia and Koval in Chicago have made some very impressive white ryes this past year. Just wait… some of these craft spirits producers will blow people away over the next few years, once their wood programs get worked out. Some of the Portland distillers are being very creative as well. Ditto on the Old Pulteney…that’s what I’m drinking right now!

With all the great distilleries out there, it’s heartening to see so many people mention Kittling Ridge/Forty Creek, and I certainly would second their nomination as distillery of the year. Their Confederation Oak Reserve is available in the US, and so is their Barrel Select, which is hugely popular up here in Canada. The concept of using Canadian oak harkens back to the early days of Canadian whisky making, as do the crisp fresh woody notes in the whisky. But then, the concept of aging whisky made with three different grains separately and blending when mature is an innovation in itself.

I found it dificult figuring out what to base my selection on. I felt like picking any distillery I have a fondness for, due to me simply loving their scotch. Or, I could go with most innovative. Or who put out the best new product. But like most other decisions in the world, mine came down to money. I’m going with the distilleries that keeping making great whiskies at still affordable prices. Old Pulteney, Glenfarclas, and Isle of Jura. For peat’s sake (that’s a pun! ), the entire Old Pulteney range is affordable to the point where it’s almost too good to be true.

I’ll second Glendronach, especially the 15. And I picked up a bottle of the 12 which turned out to be the older release, and it showed the distillery’s quality, allowing for the lower proff and chill filtering.

My first choice is Buffalo Trace. They produce a lot of great whiskeys at very reasonable prices. I like that some of the whiskeys in the antique collection are uncut and unfiltered. I wish more distilleries would do this. Heaven Hill would be my second choice. The Parker’s Heritage Collection this year was amazing. Ardbeg would be my third choice. I’ve been impressed by all of their whiskeys that I have tried. The Corryvreckan is the best Scotch that I have ever had.

Lots of great marques identified so far. Not surprising to see missing are some of the mega producers, like the Scottish distillery that quadrupled production in 2010. Producing more of the same old stuff isn’t innovative.

Although I have soft spots for several noted here (Pulteney, Bunnahabhain, GlenDronach, Jura, Benromach), I offer Edradour for your consideration. We’re starting to see the fruits of Andrew Symington’s visions from nearly a decade ago. Caledonia, Ballechin #s 4 & 5, the new Port Cask: higher ABVs, NOT chill filtered, natural color (nearly all the things — except a little more age — you “want” from samples you review ). And unlike some, these recent offerings from Edradour weren’t “finished” in sherry or marsala or port casks; they matured in those casks from day one.

Visited the Midleton Distillery a few months ago. The operating one. It’s an amazing distillery and the whiskey they have in their warehouse is, in my opinion, very hard to beat. There approach to distilling is unlike anything I’ve seen either. No nonsense at all. The range of whiskies they produce is amazing also.

Feels like distilleries like, say, Bruichladdich, Ardbeg, BT, and Heaven Hill have been up to what they’ve been up to for a while now. NAS/ crazy-peat/ finished/ independent scotch made a splash and now their status quo. Premium/experimental bourbon are also things we’re coming to expect.

Now that the game changers have really changed the game they don’t stand out as much from it. And neither do the others who are starting to play by their rules.

You want me to list a bunch of people who participated in the trends I indicated two-bit? As you say, they’re are so many by now– We could both think of many. A more concrete way of saying what I’m feeling might be to say that, this year, I didn’t see any new distilleries becoming anyone’s darling for anything they did with respect to those key trends.

Red I do sort of agree with you here. Yes there are some distilleries that are putting out some great products but much of it is their annual releases. It’s not necessarily something new, innovative, and “impressive”. Obviously it’s impressive that BT’s Antique collection for example is great again, but that’s also become expected. Not to mention that at approximately $75-80/bottle it better be impressive. For a highly highly regarded whisk(e)y that’s a fair price, but in the bourbon and American Whiskey category that’s not cheap either.

In short, I struggle to think of distilleries that are doing great, innovative, impressive work right now. The craft/boutique guys are churning to get product out, and much of that I’ve not found to be very impressive. And then you have the big boys in their repetitive groove. Interestingly the two I feel that have done the best work this year in their respective categories either don’t distill or they didn’t distill the products that I’ve found impressive.

So John, maybe Red’s on to something. This year *could* be so hard because it’s muddy as to who is doing impressive work vs. MANY doing impressive work.

Maker’s Mark distillery – GREAT job with their new “46” – adds some depth and ‘intrigue’ to an already satisfying product

Four Roses distillery – their Single Barrel release this year is excellent – a little ‘hot’ from the alcohol but smooths out with an easy…. finish

Rip Van Winkle distillery – their 23 year old “Pappy” is what a ‘celebratory’ drink is all about. EXPENSIVE but worth it. Having just turned 60 myself, I could only wonder what a ‘Pappy” from my birth year would be like (or worth!)

Of the Scottish distilleries, I think we’ve got to consider Highland Park’s big 2010: the entire new line of duty free vintage releases, many of which were outstanding, some of which were very affordable, and all of which were easy to spot around the globe (let’s face it, lots of travel retail shops only carry 1 liter versions of the basics, but everywhere I went, including some out-of-the-way places, had the HP vintage range). And then of course there was the Earl Magnus Edition 2.

Another good choice – Highland Park has really stepped out not only with older high quality expressions including their new 40 YO but also more affordable “collectibles” such as the Magnus line – I think they deserve some consideration here.

Buffalo Trace gets my vote. I switched from single malts to bourbon a few years back because it is made in America by Americans with American ingredients and besides that it is generally less expensive than single malts. Buffalo Trace has consistently done a wonderful job of producing a consistently good American product (bourbon) under a variety of labels. Keep up the good work guys!

If it doesn’t have to be an actual distillery, then Compass Box. The Flaming Heart and Double Single are the two best whiskies I’ve had this year and, while not inexpensive, we’re not talking Diageo special edition prices. If it has to be a distillery, then Four Roses.

Tell me what you like about the double single, David. I’ve really had my eye on it (beautiful looking bottle at the very least). I understand it’s an old premium cask strength blended, but beyond that I haven’t been able to dig up too many peoples’ impressions of it.

It’s super interesting and not at all in your face, flavorwise. The entry is rather shocking however, kind of a burst of lemon citrus and wood tannins, before it mellows out and finishes with rich cereal grains. It’s the kind of thing you taste at first and think, “Oh crap, what did I just buy?” but then you realize that it’s fantastic. The nose is rather hard to obtain at first, but in an empty glass I can smell fresh peaches/apricots in a cocktail syrup. I like to be challenged and this is malt plays hard to get, but then let’s you go all the way!

It’ll probably be a Scottish distillery, a japanese would be a surprise, everything else is highly unlikely in my opinion.
It’s too early for Amrut or Kilchoman, though they might be on the ‘short list’. Karuizawa is one of the candidates but in the end the winner will probably be either Glendronach or Highland Park.
After all it’ll be about the releases, changes and performance in 2010, not about distilleries doing the same thing as every year I think.
I’d vote for Glendronach, the single casks are mostly very good. And I certainly really love the packaging of HP’s Saint Magnus editions.

Matthias– Japanese whisky is not that available in the US– Though MA is going towards a more global focus and distribution I think these awards are still focussed mainly on whisky-stuff that US drinkers are familiar with.

The last few years have been very exciting for the whisky enthusiast in me. New expressions, new distilleries, micro distilleries and new wood finishes. Even good whiskies from India!

Nothing has come close to impressing me as much as Kilchoman has. It is a young distillery from my beloved Islay, that’s turning out exemplary expressions of whisky that are balanced, complex and easy drinking. More so they show the potential of what’s to come. I’ve been fortunate enough to try many expressions from this distillery, some that were not even available to the market, including new make.

The whisky shows glimpses of Port Ellen with the fortitude of Ardbeg, the balance of Coal Ila with the uniqueness of Laphroaig; what else can you ask for? It is Islay in a bottle.

In my mind there is no other distillery that deserves that honor any more than Kilchoman does.

You know Amit– I love Kilkoman too, but to me the peat is a little more mainland in style. In fact what it reminded me most of was the peat on Edradour’s Ballechin series and Benriach’s peated stuff. People keep saying Ardbeg, but I’m really not tasting that.

Try it on a clean palate. Try a cask strength expression; hold it on your palate for a minute to a minute and half and notice the change in flavors every 20 seconds or so, and I hope you see what I see in the whisky. You should get a new dimension of flavor every 20 seconds or so. The whisky will unravel on your palate.

No insult to the promising new distillery– Just making an observation there, Amit. I like the peated Riach and Edradour very much. Looking forward to pick up a bottle of this past summer’s Kilk (not c/s unfortunately) within a few weeks and really get deep with it. Let you know how my impressions unfold.

Hmmmm, on a personal level, I would say Ardbeg. They were nice enough to bring the chopper tour to Key West–in may ways, just for me. I am the only buyer of Ardbeg at my local store and that store was the number four seller of Ardbeg in the state. So, When the chopper tour came it was very much a private party on my behalf.

So much good work being done just now it is hard to choose one. Some of the more notable for me (assuming we can include rectifiers) are impressive because they get the new mood of whiskey drinkers. Not finding one taste or style and sticking to it but rather exploring many different expressions.
Compass Box – creative and delicious. Masterful vatitng is changing the way people think of “blended” Scotch.
High West – creative, resourceful and always surprising, Thanks for finding the Whiskey you sell.
Buffalo Trace – The Antique collection is again a stand out.
Four Roses – Making all the recipies available at barrel strength is a gift.
Van Winkle – The source and maker changes but the quality doesn’t.

I would have to go with Glendronach, the new range is excellent, some of the single cask bottlings have been terrific and so is the 31 year old Grandeur. We bottled our own cask of Glendronach this year and it was a very difficult decision, all six samples were superb!

If I had to go with a second pick it would be Glenglassaugh. Their core range of 21, 30 and 40 year is excellent, though admittedly expensive.

The two distilleries that impressed me the most this year are Dalmore and Port Ellen.
Dalmore because of all their new innovative malts like Mackenzie and their host of high end malts, especially the ones with “nicknames”. Then Port Ellen with their super-fantastic-fragilistic-ascend into heaven -30 yr release.
On the international front I’m blown away by Amrut – what a tremendous showing of taste and quality!

I cannot believe I am saying this, but the most impressive distillery to me is Amrut in Bangalore, India. I had a couple of their expressions that were so-so. I was at a whisky tasting at the Party Source in Bellevue, Ky. last nite. One of the offerings was Amrut Fusion, absolutely stunning! This is a relatively young whiskey I believe but you cannot prove it by the aroma and taste. It is good! The best new whiskey I have had in a long time. You owe it to yourself to try it. Under fifty bucks, unbelieveable.

On a more serious note, GlenRothes has really impressed me this year, the core expressions are fantastic and represent fantastic value in a whisky world that appears to go have gone mad in the last 2 years